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May 12, 2016Article Details
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Main Article Content
Surgical treatment for ~brain compartment syndrome' in children with severe head injury
Abstract
Objectives. Traumatic brain injury accounts for a high percentage of deaths in children. Raised intracranial pressure (ICP) due to brain swelling within the closed compartment of the skull leads to death or severe neurological disability if not effectively treated. We report our experience with 12 children who presented with cerebral herniation due to traumatic brain swelling in whom decompressive craniectomy was used as an emergency.
Design. Prospective, observational.
Setting. Red Cross Children's Hospital.
Subjects. Children with severe traumatic brain injury and cerebral swelling.
Outcome measures. Computed tomography (CT) scanning, ICP
control, clinical outcome.
Results. Despite the very poor clinical condition of these children preoperatively, aggressive management of the raised pressure resulted in unexpectedly good outcomes.
Conclusion. Aggressive surgical measures to decrease ICP in the emergency situation can be of considerable benefit; the key concepts are selection of appropriate patients and early intervention
